Local News

Southern Oregon University's Small Business Development Center in Medford will close at the end of December after 41 years of service.

The Daily Courier reports that, despite this closure, Rogue Community College's Small Business Development Center in Grants Pass will continue to operate. The centers have provided free advising and low-cost classes on topics like starting a business or selling a company.

RCC's center is, according to Coordinator of the RCC Center Veronica Lambert, expecting to see more Jackson County entrepreneurs using its services when SOU's center shuts down.

According to the university, SOU and the state government were unable to reach an agreement in a plan to maintain U.S. Small Business Administration funding for the center.

 

The Rogue Valley Young Marines Toys for Tots Drive is on in Josephine County. Community members have the opportunity, now through December 20th, to drop off new, unwrapped toys in local drop boxes to help support families and children throughout Josephine County. Toys for babies, toddlers, and teenagers are gladly accepted, and the giveaways are scheduled for Sunday, December 21st from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday, December 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Businesses can register now for a drop box, and you can learn more at www. josephinecounty.toysfortots.org.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman for trespassing at her ex-husband's and children's home Monday afternoon.

At 3:26 p.m., dispatch received a call from the children's babysitter at the house in the 1000 block of NE 10th Street. She said the previously trespassed mother was inside screaming at her kids.

The babysitter was in the backyard with her own child and told dispatch the mother hadn't been taking her meds and that this happens frequently.

The mother proceeded to threaten the children, then she locked herself in a bedroom. The babysitter was advised to get all the kids out to the front yard.

Officers arrived, located the mother, Dion Cleek, and transported her to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged for First Degree Criminal Trespass.

 

A woman sleeping in her vehicle was arrested at the local Safeway early this morning.

At 1:27 a.m., the night manager of the 1640 Williams Highway store notified dispatch that the suspect had passed out in her running vehicle. She had stopped in the lane of traffic in the parking lot and had been there for about a half hour.

Officers arrived and approached the driver's side window. A tooter was seen in plain view and a lighter was near the suspect.

After being asked to turn off the vehicle and step out, the suspect, Chante Jaworsky consented to a search of her vehicle. Officers identified other pieces of drug paraphernalia inside. The tooter tested positive for fentanyl.

Jaworsky was taken into custody and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for a charge of Fentanyl Possession.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man wanted on a warrant Monday afternoon while he was picking up his vehicle from a towing business.

Officers contacted Charlie Jackson at 3:11 p.m. at Caveman Towing, 2100 NW Vine Street. He was known to have a secret indictment warrant for unlawful manufacture, delivery, and possession of cocaine.

Jackson was taken into custody and lodged on his warrant in the Josephine County Jail without incident.

 

Grants Pass Police officers arrested a man sleeping on Asante property for drug and probation violation charges Monday morning.

At 8:42 a.m., officers contacted Steven Robison and a woman while the two of them were sleeping behind the building at 1550 NW 6th Street.

Robison had numerous drug paraphernalia items on his lap, one of them being a small folded piece of foil containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for meth.

Officers took Robison into custody and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail for Possession of Meth, and a Parole Violation Detainer.

 

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will hear updates on County cases and an investigation of an alleged personnel policy violation during Wednesday's workshop. Following a Board Order update in the matter of amending an Administrative Policy, the board will hear business from multiple departments including the Sheriff's Office, Community Development, Public Works, Airports, Human Resources, and Transit. Board Business includes discussing County-owned Surplus Properties, Anne G. Basker Auditorium Rental Applications, plus Executed County Contracts and Payments According to Terms. Following any other matters the board may introduce, the meeting will adjourn. Wednesday's workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference room and will stream live at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. Those wishing to attend in person must comply with the clear bag policy.

 

Medford Police officers arrested three suspects Saturday, November 8, following an armed menacing incident, a vehicle pursuit, and the recovery of two stolen firearms.

Around 8 p.m., officers responded to a report that an occupant of a passing vehicle pointed a firearm at a woman near Crater Lake Avenue and Delta Waters Road.

Officers located the vehicle near Hawthorne Park and attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled, lost control while turning from 4th Street onto Jackson Street, and crashed into a fence at Hawthorne Park.

A 17-year-old male remained in the vehicle and was detained. Two others, Kevin J. Borja, 26, and Jayden E. Hodge, 19, ran into the park. During the foot chase, Borja discarded a pistol and entered Bear Creek, hiding in thick brush.

The vehicle was connected to a recent armed robbery reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office during which multiple firearms were stolen. One stolen firearm was visible inside the vehicle.

Due to the suspects’ history and the presence of firearms, Medford Police SWAT responded. A thermal drone located a heat source in the brush, and officers used announcements and less-lethal tools before K9 Bruno located and apprehended Borja. Hodge was found shortly afterward and taken into custody without further incident.

Sheriff's Office deputies impounded the vehicle and served a search warrant, recovering a second stolen firearm. Borja and Hodge were lodged at the Jackson County Jail. The 17-year-old was detained, and his case will be referred to juvenile authorities.

 

Rural Metro firefighters spent 2 hours early this morning containing a trash fire near Devil's Slide.

The fire was located at 2:49 a.m. in a ravine north of the railroad tracks near a transient camp. Fire engines were unable to access the area. The fire involved mostly trash and covered an area approximately 1/10th acre.

High humidity from heavy fog was beneficial in moderating fire activity. It is unknown what or who started the fire at this time, as no one was observed in the area.